Apparatus for continuously processing wire or the like including vibrating means

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for processing wire, strip or the like passing through a medium which reacts with the wire has means for vibrating the wire longitudinally without striking the wire so as to provide more efficient reaction.

United States Patent Moyer Feb. 22, 1972 [54] APPARATUS FOR CONTINUOUSLY [56] References Cited PROCESSING WIRE OR THE LIKE INCLUDING VIBRATING MEANS STATES PATENTS 72] Inventor: Robert C. Mayer Monroevme Borough, 2,762,763 9/1956 Kenmore et a1. ..20 4/222 Primary Examiner-John H. Mack [73] Assignee: United States Steel Corporation Assistant Examiner-W. 1. Solomon [22] Filed: Sept- 9 1969 Attorney-Martin J. Carroll [21] Appl. No.: 856,353 [57] ABSTRACT Apparatus for processing wire, strip or the like passing [52] US. Cl. ..204/209, 134/157, 204/222 through a medium which reacts with the wire has means for [51] 1111. C1. ..Bolk 3/00 ibrating the wir longitudinally wirhout striking the wire so as [58] Field of Search ..264/28, 2095222811 346/175, to provide more e'rficient reaction.

l l 2 1 O 9 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures 72 it. i -1 I:| l; v 64 i ,34 64 "nu lnllfiuu 66 I as f l \l I/ 70 4s 32 70 T" 30 68 l $8 52 so so 52 42 i 42 PATENTEDFEBZZ I972 3,644,189

sum 1 or 2 PROCESS/N6 CHAMBER 26 54 lm\ J mvw Attorney PAIENTEUFEB22 I972 sum 2 BF 2 INVENTOR. ROBERT C. MOYE'R Attorney APPARATUS FOR CONTINUOUSLY PROCESSING WIRE OR THE LIKE INCLUDING VIBRATING MEANS This invention relates to apparatus for processing elongated workpieces and more particularly to apparatusfor vibrating a workpiece, such as wire or strip, as it passes through a medium which reacts with the workpiece. One such process is the electroplating of wire in which the plating rate may be limited by gas and concentration polarization. This is normally minimized by agitation of the electrolyte and/or workpiece. Agitation of the workpiece is difficult to apply and to maintain since the vibrations are rapidly dampened by the electrolyte or the contacts. Kenmore U.S. Pat. No. 2,762,763 shows one type of apparatus for vibrating wire in a continuous process. However, this apparatus has several disadvantages. The wire is vibrated by mechanically contacting it at regular intervals. This physically damages the wire in many instances and is also very noisy. In addition, the striking of the wire results in a transverse'vibration which is affected by obstacles over which and through which the wire passes so that the vibrations tend to slow down in the portions not adjacent the striking mechanism. This results in nonuniform vibrations throughout the-length of the wire in the bath, thus greatly decreasing its efficiency.

It is therefore an object of my invention to provide apparatus for vibrating a workpiece passing through a processing line in which the vibrations extend longitudinally'of the workpiece rather than transversely.

Another object isto provide such apparatus in which the vibrations are obtained without striking the workpiece.

Still another object is to provide such apparatus which produces relatively uniform vibrations throughout the length of the workpiece in the processing medium.

A further object is to provide such apparatus which is relatively quiet.

These and other objects will be more apparent after referring to the following specification and attached drawings, in which:

FIG. I is a schematic elevation of the apparatus of my invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the vibrator of my invention with-one'vibrator removed aspositioned in the processing line; and

FIG. 3 is an end elevation of the vibrator of FIG. 2.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, reference numeral 2 indicates a pay off reel for supporting a coil of wire W. The wire W passes around sheaves or grooved rolls 4 and 6 and then downwardly and around a sheave 8 resiliently mounted onan assembly 10. The wire W then passes horizontally-through an electroplating tank 12 and then to a sheave l4 resiliently mounted on an assembly l6.'From here the wire W passes upwardly to a sheave 18, then downwardly to a sheave 20'which directs it to takeup 22. Tension is applied to the wire in a-conventional manner as it travels from payoff reel 2 to takeup 22.

The assemblies and 16 are the same except that no vibrator is provided for assembly 10. Hence, only assembly 16 will be described in detail. The assembly 16 includes a stand 24 consisting of a base plate 26 welded to a vertical cylinder or post 28, and a horizontal plate 30-mounted on and welded to the-top of post 28. Welded to the top of plate 30 are apair' of spaced-apart limit stop lugs 32 having aligned horizontal threaded'holes34 therethrough, and a spring anchor lug 36 having a horizontal threaded hole 38 therethrough. Gusset plates 40, 42 and-44 may be provided as shown'for reinforcement. The'lugs 32 have limit stops 46 threaded into the holes 34. The lug 36 hasa spring anchor 48 threaded into thehole 38.Welded'to each end of plate 30 and to the gusset plates 42 is a' bar'50 which has two threaded holes 52 therein. The stand 24 is secured to floor 54 in any suitable manner.

A roll or sheave bracket 56 is resiliently mounted on the I stand 24' as described below. The bracket 56 consists of a-pair of spaced angles 58 each having one leg'horizontal and the other vertical which are joined at their ends by clamp bars'60 welded thereto. Each clamp bar 60 has a pair of horizontal threaded holes 62 therethrough in vertical alignment with holes 52. A plurality of flat springs 64 with spacers 66 between adjacent springs have their lower ends clamped between bar 50 and clamp bar 68 by means of socket head screws 70 threaded to holes 52. In like manner the tops of the springs 64 and spacers 66 are clamped between bar 60 and clamp bar 72 by means of socket head screws 74 threaded into holes 62. The number of springs 64 may be varied to obtain the desired frequency and amplitude of vibration of the bracket 56.

A plate 76 welded to the bottom of the angles 58 extends downwardly between the limit stops 46 and has a threaded hole 78 therethrough for receiving a second spring anchor 48. Each of the anchors 48 has a socket 80 therein to receive the ends of a compression spring 82. Spaced channels or roll brackets 84'extend upwardly from and are welded to the angles 58, and have aligned openings 86 through their webs for receiving pulley shaft or pin 88 in the, form of a socket head screw. The pulley I4 is rotatably mounted on bearings 90 mounted on screw 88. A vibrator 92 is mounted on each side of the bracket 56, but these vibrators are ordinarily omitted from assembly 10 but could be also provided for that assembly. The vibrator may be Model DHE lll Motomagnetic" vibrators, manufactured by the Martin Engineering Company of Neponsit, Illinois. When one or more vibrators are used they'should be synchronized. Electromagnetic vibrators, air vibrators, motor-cam arrangements, or other type vibrators may be used in place of the motor-eccentric type.

ln operation, the wire W passes continuously under tension from payoff 2 through the line to takeup 22. The compression of the spring 82 is adjusted by varying the distancebetween spring anchors 48 until it balances the pull of the wire W. Stops 46 are so adjusted that during normal operation, lug 76 will not contact either stop. The rear limit stop prevents excessive springback whenthe assembly is not under wire tension and the front limit stop functions as a safety stop in the event of sudden excessive wire tension. During wire travel the vibrators 92 are operated to oscillate the sheavebracket 56, thus inducing a continuous longitudinal vibration'in that portion of the wire between the sheaves or rolls 6and 18 while the 90 wrap of the wire about the sheaves 6 and 18 eliminates vibration in the remaining portion of the wire.

It will be understood that the invention may be used in other processes such as electrolytic picklingv and coating in a fluidized bed. Multiple wires may be processed by providing multigrooved rolls or sheaves on the bracket 56 and strip may be processed by providinga roll of the necessary width on bracket 56. Of course, the design of the vibrating assembly will be variedto suit various conditions. For example, an as; sembly for vibrating fine wire should be of relatively low mass and high frequency, whereas an assembly for vibrating strip would of necessity be of greater mass' and therefore lower frequency.

Other modifications and-adaptations may also be made.

lclaim:

1. Apparatus for continuously processing an elongated workpiece comprisinga container for containing a medium therein for reacting with said workpiece; means for moving said workpiece longitudinally through said medium in said container, and a roll assembly adjacent said container; said roll assembly including a stationary stand, a roll bracket, a roll rotatably'mounted on said bracket around which said workpiece passes, means resiliently mounting said bracket on said stand, and a vibrator mounted on said bracket.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said resilient mounting means includes a first set of generally vertical flat springs'extending between and having their opposite ends attached to one end of said stand and bracket, and a second set ofgenerally vertical flat springs extending between and having their opposite ends attached to the second end of said stand and bracket.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said stand includes a vertical post, and'a horizontal plate attached to the top of said vertical post; and said bracket includes a horizontal member spaced vertically above said horizontal plate, and means extending upwardly from said horizontal member for supporting said roll.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 in which said resilient mounting means includes a first set of generally vertical flat springs extending between and having their top and bottom ends attached to one end of said horizontal plate and horizontal member respectively, and a second set of generally vertical flat springs extending between and having their top and bottom ends attached to the second end of said horizontal plate and horizontal member, respectively.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 including a pair of longitudinally spaced lugs extending upwardly from said horizontal plate, a horizontal stop adjustably mounted on each lug, the adjacent ends of said stops being longitudinally spaced from one another, a plate extending downwardly from said horizontal member into the spaces between the ends of said stops, a plate extending upwardly from said horizontal plate and longitudinally spaced from said downwardly extending plate, a horizontal spring anchor attached to said downwardly extending plate, a horizontal spring anchor attached to said upwardly extending plate, said anchors being horizontally aligned with an adjustable space therebetween, and a compression spring in the space between said anchors with its ends bearing against said anchors.

6. Apparatus according to claim 3 including a second roll assembly comprising a stationary stand having a vertical post and a horizontal plate attached to the top of said vertical post, a roll bracket having a horizontal member spaced vertically above said horizontal plate, and brackets extending upwardly from said horizontal member for supporting rolls, and means for resiliently mounting said bracket on said stand, one of said roll assemblies being located at each end of said container with the axes of said rolls transverse to the path of travel of said workpiece.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 in which the resilient mounting means of each roll assembly includes a first set of generally vertical fiat springs extending between and having their top and bottom ends attached to one end of said horizontal plate and horizontal member respectively, and a second set of generally vertical flat springs extending between and having their top and bottom ends attached to the second end of said horizontal plate and horizontal member respectively.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 in which each roll assembly includes a pair of longitudinally spaced lugs extending upwardly from said horizontal plate, a horizontal stop adjustably mounted on each lug, the adjacent ends of said stops being longitudinally spaced from one another, a plate extending downwardly from said horizontal member into the space between the ends of said stops, a plate extending upwardly from said horizontal plate and longitudinally spaced from said downwardly extending plate, a horizontal spring anchor at tached to said downwardly extending plate, a horizontal spring anchor attached to said upwardly extending plate, said anchors being horizontally aligned with the adjustable space therebetween and a compression spring in the space between said anchors with its ends bearing against said anchors.

9, Apparatus according to claim 8 including a third roll mounted above the roll assembly on the entry side of said container, and a fourth roll mounted above the roll assembly on the exit side of said container, all of said rolls having their axes substantially parallel to one another, and positioned so that said workpiece passes around at least substantially of the periphery of said third roll, then downwardly around the roll on the entry side of said container, then through the medium in said container, then around the roll on the exit side of said container, and then upwardly to said fourth roll and around at least substantially 90 of the periphery thereof. 

1. Apparatus for continuously processing an elongated workpiece comprising a coNtainer for containing a medium therein for reacting with said workpiece; means for moving said workpiece longitudinally through said medium in said container, and a roll assembly adjacent said container; said roll assembly including a stationary stand, a roll bracket, a roll rotatably mounted on said bracket around which said workpiece passes, means resiliently mounting said bracket on said stand, and a vibrator mounted on said bracket.
 2. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said resilient mounting means includes a first set of generally vertical flat springs extending between and having their opposite ends attached to one end of said stand and bracket, and a second set of generally vertical flat springs extending between and having their opposite ends attached to the second end of said stand and bracket.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said stand includes a vertical post, and a horizontal plate attached to the top of said vertical post; and said bracket includes a horizontal member spaced vertically above said horizontal plate, and means extending upwardly from said horizontal member for supporting said roll.
 4. Apparatus according to claim 3 in which said resilient mounting means includes a first set of generally vertical flat springs extending between and having their top and bottom ends attached to one end of said horizontal plate and horizontal member respectively, and a second set of generally vertical flat springs extending between and having their top and bottom ends attached to the second end of said horizontal plate and horizontal member, respectively.
 5. Apparatus according to claim 4 including a pair of longitudinally spaced lugs extending upwardly from said horizontal plate, a horizontal stop adjustably mounted on each lug, the adjacent ends of said stops being longitudinally spaced from one another, a plate extending downwardly from said horizontal member into the spaces between the ends of said stops, a plate extending upwardly from said horizontal plate and longitudinally spaced from said downwardly extending plate, a horizontal spring anchor attached to said downwardly extending plate, a horizontal spring anchor attached to said upwardly extending plate, said anchors being horizontally aligned with an adjustable space therebetween, and a compression spring in the space between said anchors with its ends bearing against said anchors.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 3 including a second roll assembly comprising a stationary stand having a vertical post and a horizontal plate attached to the top of said vertical post, a roll bracket having a horizontal member spaced vertically above said horizontal plate, and brackets extending upwardly from said horizontal member for supporting rolls, and means for resiliently mounting said bracket on said stand, one of said roll assemblies being located at each end of said container with the axes of said rolls transverse to the path of travel of said workpiece.
 7. Apparatus according to claim 6 in which the resilient mounting means of each roll assembly includes a first set of generally vertical flat springs extending between and having their top and bottom ends attached to one end of said horizontal plate and horizontal member respectively, and a second set of generally vertical flat springs extending between and having their top and bottom ends attached to the second end of said horizontal plate and horizontal member respectively.
 8. Apparatus according to claim 7 in which each roll assembly includes a pair of longitudinally spaced lugs extending upwardly from said horizontal plate, a horizontal stop adjustably mounted on each lug, the adjacent ends of said stops being longitudinally spaced from one another, a plate extending downwardly from said horizontal member into the space between the ends of said stops, a plate extending upwardly from said horizontal plate and longitudinally spaced from said downwardly extending plate, a horizontal spring anchor attached to said downwardly extending Plate, a horizontal spring anchor attached to said upwardly extending plate, said anchors being horizontally aligned with the adjustable space therebetween and a compression spring in the space between said anchors with its ends bearing against said anchors.
 9. Apparatus according to claim 8 including a third roll mounted above the roll assembly on the entry side of said container, and a fourth roll mounted above the roll assembly on the exit side of said container, all of said rolls having their axes substantially parallel to one another, and positioned so that said workpiece passes around at least substantially 90* of the periphery of said third roll, then downwardly around the roll on the entry side of said container, then through the medium in said container, then around the roll on the exit side of said container, and then upwardly to said fourth roll and around at least substantially 90* of the periphery thereof. 